Woman Injured In Halle Berry Car Incident Sues; Cops Say Actress Was In Similar Mishap 3 Years Ago

Jet, March 27, 2000

Popular actress Halle Berry is being sued by a southern California woman who alleges she was injured during a recent hit-and-run incident near the famed Sunset Strip area of West Hollywood (JET, March 13).

And it is reported Berry also was involved in a similar alleged incident three years ago, according to law enforcement officials.

Officials with the West Hollywood Sheriffs Department confirmed for JET that Berry indeed was the driver in a similar alleged hit-and-run car accident three years ago.

However, no charges were filed in that case. Sheriff's Deputy Rob Kenessey of the West Hollywood station reported that "she and the other driver worked out a settlement on their own."

Hetal Raythatha, the woman involved in this recent incident, held a news conference in Los Angeles to announce that she has filed a civil lawsuit against Berry, alleging that she is now permanently disabled. She was hospitalized with a broken wrist and is seeking unspecified damages.

Berry also was injured, receiving 22 stitches around her forehead.

According to police, on February 23, Berry's vehicle ran through a red light and struck the vehicle that was driven by Raythatha and, instead of waiting for police or exchanging information, Berry reportedly left the scene of the accident and went to receive medical attention.

Raythatha reportedly later caused some controversy by alleging that either Ms. Berry or someone else who might have been in the car during the accident was under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Berry's spokesman reacted angrily to Raythatha's allegation and quickly issued a statement that said: "As the police have confirmed, there is absolutely no evidence indicating that drugs or alcohol played any part in the accident, and to insinuate otherwise is both dishonest and reprehensible."

A spokesman for the District Attorney's office would only say that the case is still being investigated. They have not determined if anyone else was in the car with Ms. Berry at the time of the accident.

The case was turned over to the District Attorney's office after deputies investigating the incident near the Sunset Strip concluded that Ms. Berry was involved. The investigators submitted their findings "for consideration of filing the appropriate charges."